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Expert Panel on Health Literacy

A Vision for a Health Literate Canada

Image of the cover of 'Vision for a Health Literate Canada'

In 2006, the Health and Learning Knowledge Centre of the Canadian Council on Learning funded CPHA to establish an Expert Panel on Health Literacy to investigate the current state of health literacy in Canada and generate a report including recommendations on future research, policy and programming initiatives.

Fourteen Expert Panel members were selected according to their knowledge of and experience with issues related to health and literacy. Five focus groups were held, during which Panel members listened carefully as adult literacy learners described their experiences and the barriers they have encountered while navigating health information and services. This information was supplemented by interviews with policy makers, service providers and advocates, and by the results of an electronic questionnaire completed by more than 650 individuals across Canada.

This report by the Expert Panel on Health Literacy consolidates the research on health literacy and points to changes in communication strategies, practices, procedures and policies that will ultimately improve health literacy and the well-being of all Canadians.

The Expert Panel concluded that a concerted pan-Canadian effort building on existing initiatives could improve health literacy levels or at least mitigate the worst effects, and that policies and programs to enhance health literacy must be included in Canadian strategies to maintain a sustainable and effective health care system.

These Expert Panel related reports can be downloaded:
 


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